Preparation of Cobalt-free Composite Cathode for Efficient High-temperature Hydrogen Fuel Cell via One-pot Synthesis Method

doi:10.15541/jim20250155

Abstract

Abstract:

High-temperature hydrogen fuel cell, commonly referred to as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), is regarded as an effective energy conversion device for achieving the "dual carbon" goals due to its advantages such as high energy conversion efficiency, strong fuel flexibility, environmental friendliness, and all-solid-state structure. To address the issues of high cost, volatility, high thermal expansion coefficient, and easy reaction with electrolyte of traditional cobalt-based cathodes, a cobalt-free composite cathode (O-SSF-SDC), consisting of 75% (in mass) perovskite oxide Sm_0.6Sr_0.4FeO_3-_δ (SSF) and 25% (in mass) fluorite structure Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 (SDC), was prepared by one-pot synthesis method for SOFC application. The morphological results and element mapping images demonstrated that the O-SSF-SDC composite cathode exhibited uniform particle size, which provided more active reaction sites for the oxygen reduction reaction in the cathode. The symmetrical cell with O-SSF-SDC cathode showed a relatively low electrode polarization resistance of 0.175 Ω·cm² at 700 ℃ in air, while the maximum output power density of the single cell equipped with O-SSF-SDC cathode reached 609.6 mW·cm^-2 when exposing the anode and cathode to 3% H₂O wet H₂ and ambient air, respectively, demonstrating comparable electrochemical performance to traditional cobalt-based cathodes. This work can provide reference for the development of efficient high-temperature hydrogen fuel cells.

Key words: high-temperature hydrogen fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell, cobalt free cathode, one-pot method

CLC Number:

TQ15

LIU Tong, HUANG Su, ZHU Shiyue, ZHA Fanglin, HU Xuelei, WANG Yao. Preparation of Cobalt-free Composite Cathode for Efficient High-temperature Hydrogen Fuel Cell via One-pot Synthesis Method[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2025, 40(12): 1349-1355.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig. 1 XRD patterns of SSF, SDC and O-SSF-SDC powders

Fig. 2 Electrical conductivities of M-SSF-SDC and O-SSF-SDC composite materials measured in air at 400-800 ℃

Fig. 3 SEM-EDS images of (a-f) O-SSF-SDC and (g-l) M-SSF-SDC composite materials (a, g) Overlayer images of all elements; (b, h) SEM images; (c, i) Ce; (d, j) Sm; (e, k) O; (f, l) Fe

Fig. 4 (a) SEM image and (b-h) line-scanning EDS elemental mapping images for symmetrical cell with O-SSF-SDC composite cathode (b) Ce; (c) Sm; (d) Sr; (e) Fe; (f) Y; (g) Zr; (h) O

Fig. 5 (a, b) EIS spectra and (c) ASR fitting data for symmetrical cells with (a) O-SSF-SDC and (b) M-SSF-SDC composite cathode

Fig. 6 Cross-sectional SEM image of single cell with O-SSF-SDC cathode

Fig. 7 Electrochemical performance of single cell with O-SSF-SDC cathode (a) I-V-P curves; (b) Nyquist curves; (c) Frequency vs. imaginary part of EIS spectra Colorful figures are available on website

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